The Saw franchise has introduced many different apprentices working under Jigsaw’s command, and while most of them are welcomed with open arms, there is one unlikable character who has sat on the fence at the best of times and outright been hated during the worst. Even though it takes a particular type of individual to work for someone like Jigsaw, most would agree that his adherence to a strict code makes his actions more than just murder or revenge.
Considering the depth and scope of Jigsaw’s mission to provoke thought and inspire a greater appreciation for life in those who take it for granted, it is understandable that he would eventually need to recruit others. While Jigsaw can only physically be in one place at a time, his apprenticeship’s growth over time would, in effect, make his presence felt and known the world over. While most of the apprentices in the Saw movies were more in line with Jigsaw’s visions, one of them was not.
The Saw Franchise Shouldn’t Bring Back Mark Hoffman
Mark Hoffman’s constant abuse of power and belittling of those under his command was a clever way to infer that there may be something evil under his good-guy facade. Before Hoffman even joined Jigsaw, he was seen gunning down an unarmed man with mental health issues and covering it up to secure a promotion, further cementing him as an evil person. Even though it was believed that Hoffman died in Saw 3D, he appeared in a mid-credits scene in Saw X, effectively setting him up for a major reappearance in the future.
After agreeing to work with Jigsaw, Hoffman swiftly developed a reputation with his mentor as a brutal and sadistic individual who couldn’t be trusted. The most intriguing thing about the Saw franchise is that Jigsaw operates with a specific code of ethics despite the nature of his traps, with a big tenet being that he never creates one that a person can’t escape. Hoffman, on the other hand, reveled in the power that he wields and became even less likable because of the inescapable nature of his traps.
Future Saw Movies Should Explore Jigsaw’s Other Apprentices
Mark Hoffman tends to be hated more often than he’s loved, and there are other characters working for Jigsaw who are more favored by audiences. Amanda Young was viewed by many as a sympathetic character and her reverence for Jigsaw as a teacher or even father figure made her much more endearing than Hoffman. Even though Logan has only made one appearance, he fared better, as his ethics aligned more with Jigsaw’s, despite the brutal results if someone failed one of his traps.
Lawrence Gordon from the first Saw would be a much-welcomed reintroduction to the franchise as he was the closest to embodying Jigsaw’s morals and values. Even though Saw 3D revealed Gordon was behind Hoffman’s kidnapping and presumed death, Saw X‘s mid-credit scene confirms Hoffman is still alive. It would be great to see the two duke it out in Saw 11 should the series decide to bring both characters back. Gordon could potentially be the one to solve Saw‘s Mark Hoffman problem.
